Each of these reports contributes uniquely—some give a bird’s eye macroeconomic view, others offer merchantMerchant merchant An individual or business that accepts payments in exchange for goods or services.-level or regional insights. They help you:
- Spot market trends before they go mainstream
- Understand evolving customer preferences
- Benchmark your business against regional or global standards
- Navigate the regulatory landscape
In the ever-evolving world of payments, staying updated through reliable research and expert insights is key. Here’s a curated list of the most authoritative, globally respected payments reports. These are must-reads for fintechFintech fintech Short for financial technology, refers to tech-enabled innovation in financial services. professionals, regulators, banks, and investors alike.
🌐 Global Thought Leaders
McKinsey Global Payments Report (Annual)
The gold standard in payments research. Offers deep dives into global payment revenue pools, trends, cost structures, and innovations across markets.
J.P. Morgan Global Payments Trends Report
A practical, country-by-country guide covering preferred payment methods, eCommerceeCommerce ecommerce Commercial transactions conducted electronically on the internet. Includes digital payments, shopping carts, and fraud prevention. behaviors, and regulatory outlooks.
Bank for International Settlements (BIS) – Red Book
A global benchmark. Features comprehensive, cross-country data on retail and wholesale payments, cards, RTGS, and infrastructure access.
🏛️ Development & Policy Institutions
World Bank – Payment Systems Worldwide
Essential for understanding payments in developing and frontier markets. Highlights financial inclusion, payment access, and regulatory frameworks.
IMF Fintech Notes & Digital Currency Papers
Covers global macro-financial issues, CBDCs, cross-border payment initiatives, and fintech regulation.
Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) – FinTech Reports
From licensing trends to real-time payments innovation, MAS reports are a window into one of the world’s most forward-thinking fintech jurisdictions.
🏦 Central Banks & Real-Time Payments
- Federal Reserve Payments Study (US)
Annual review of noncash payments trends, from checks and cards to digital transfers and emerging innovations. - European Central Bank (ECB) – Payment Statistics
Covers SEPA, TIPS, and card usage trends across EU Member States. - Reserve Bank of Australia – Payments System Board Annual Report
Delivers updates on Australia’s transition to digital payments, NPP (real-time rails), and policy direction.
🏢 Big 4 & Strategy Consultants
Accenture – The Future of Payments
Explores how embedded finance, CBDCs, and open banking are reshaping consumer and B2B payments, with deep industry perspectives.
PwC – Payments 2025 & Beyond
Outlines six powerful trends transforming payments, from customer-centricity to digital identity and regulatory tech.
EY – NextWave Payments
A forward-looking series examining disruption in B2B payments, ESG-driven compliance, and customer journey transformation.
Deloitte – Payments Modernization Insights
Focuses on payments modernization, cross-border transactionsTransactions transactions Interactions where value is exchanged for goods or services., fraudFraud fraud Criminal deception involving unauthorized payments or use of financial credentials. prevention, and the intersection of AI and payments.
💡 Industry Leaders & Private Sector Reports
Stripe – State of Online Payments
Data-backed insights on the conversion journey, failed payments, and fraud trends from one of the world’s leading online payment processors.
Worldpay Global Payments Report
Breaks down payment preferences across 40+ markets by method—walletsWallets wallets See Digital Wallets., cards, BNPL, crypto—and by vertical.
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